The Disappointed United States (1)
"Excuse me? Ah, I see."
It had only been about two months, but the United States and the Soviet Union had engaged in national cooperation that transcended the Cold War. Of course, they had returned to being distant with each other once the meteorite was destroyed.
"The Soviet Union's space science is certainly impressive. Although the United States sent a man to the moon first, I personally do not believe that Soviet space science is in any way inferior to that of the United States."
Yoon-gi's statement was objectively true, even when compared to reality. Even as late as the 2010s, the United States paid Russia a staggering 70 billion won per person to send astronauts to the International Space Station. It meant that instead of launching them on their own, the U.S. had to rely on Russia.
"It is perhaps the only thing Russia can truly boast about. Thinking about it now, it feels as though the money that should have gone into war went into space instead."
As Gorbachev suggested, the reason the U.S. and the Soviet Union were able to avoid a Third World War might very well have been 'space.' Whether it was war or the space race, the costs were astronomical, but at least in the space race, people didn't die.
"That is why I am asking—would it be possible for me to use one of your spacecraft?"
"Pardon?"
For a moment, Gorbachev looked incredibly bewildered. No matter how he thought about it, there was no reason for a private citizen to need a spacecraft.
"Surely, you aren't planning to fire a nuclear missile at North Korea, are you?"
Yoon-gi laughed and shook his head at Gorbachev's mostly joking remark.
"Of course not. I am not a warmonger. Besides, if I were going to fire a nuclear missile, there would be no reason to use a spacecraft, would there?"
Gorbachev chuckled as well.
"That is true. If not that, then... surely you aren't planning a trip to the moon?"
When Yoon-gi just smiled playfully instead of answering, Gorbachev looked dazed for a moment before his expression turned to one of pure shock.
"Are you actually planning to go on a trip to the moon?"
Yoon-gi nodded.
"Actually, I am planning to get married soon."
"With that woman... Merrill?"
"Yes. I will be of legal age to marry soon."
At 18, it was legally possible to marry with parental consent. It was currently 1986. Born in '68, Yoon-gi would indeed be of legal age once his birthday passed.
"Ho-ho, ho-ho..."
Gorbachev could only let out exclamations of surprise, unable to find the words. To be honest, it was completely out of the blue. Yet, in a way, he thought it was quite extraordinary.
'Asking to use a spacecraft for a honeymoon. How many people in this world would even dare to say such a thing?'
Just as Gorbachev was thinking this, Yoon-gi spoke again.
"Of course, I am not asking to borrow it for free. I will pay the corresponding price. It won't just be Merrill and me boarding; a vast number of mechanics and astronauts will need to be involved to prepare for any unforeseen circumstances."
Seeing Yoon-gi's incredibly serious demeanor, Gorbachev couldn't help but chuckle as he spoke again.
"First of all, I cannot help you with a trip to the moon."
Yoon-gi waited for Gorbachev's explanation without responding.
"The biggest reason is that we, the Soviet Union, have never performed a manned landing on the moon. We landed on the meteorite this time, but that was largely thanks to the United States."
It was certainly a convincing reason.
"Of course, I cannot say we can't do it just because we lack experience. But if I were to send Chairman Choi to the moon and something were to happen, an enormous catastrophe would ensue. The United States would claim that the Soviet Union assassinated Chairman Choi, and we would have no choice but to argue that it truly wasn't us."
Gorbachev certainly had excellent judgment.
"Did the First World War not begin with the death of the Austrian Crown Prince? If Chairman Choi were to die while traveling to the moon, our Soviet Union would likely face unbearable pressure from the United States."
The only reason the Soviet Union could currently withstand American pressure was, ironically, because of the meteorite. Because of the meteorite, the U.S. and the Soviet Union had launched a joint project to stop it. Furthermore, the international fear that the infected Soviet populace might spill out beyond their borders if the U.S. pressured them too hard prevented the U.S. from applying the same level of pressure as before. Of course, the fact that Reagan was implementing a 'personal appeasement policy' toward the Soviet Union after listening to Guster also played a large part.
"That is certainly a convincing reason."
At Yoon-gi's words, Gorbachev offered an alternative.
"How about a space station instead of the moon?"
The space station Gorbachev was referring to was not the one from the 2010s, but the Soviet Union's own space station, 'Salyut.'
"A space station?"
At Yoon-gi's question, Gorbachev nodded.
"Yes. In fact, a trip to the moon would be impossible even with Chairman Choi's wealth. Do you know how much money went into the American Apollo program?"
"Well...?"
"About 150 billion dollars."
"Gasp!"
Yoon-gi was shocked. 150 billion dollars. In 1986, 150 billion dollars amounted to a staggering 129 trillion won. It might have been an amount Yoon-gi could pay after more time had passed, but it was an impossible sum for him right now.
'Well, in truth, I never even dreamed of a trip to the moon.'
Yoon-gi's original goal was a trip to the space station. However, he had bluffed about a trip to the moon, fearing that if he asked for the space station first, he would be politely refused. Thanks to that, Gorbachev had offered the space station as an alternative, and Yoon-gi was playing along, pretending not to know. Of course, he really hadn't known that the Apollo program cost 150 billion dollars.
"Surprised, aren't you? That is the amount the U.S. invested in the Apollo program over 10 years, but the cost of sending a spacecraft to the moon just once would be truly astronomical."
"Indeed, it is immense..."
"On the other hand, the cost of sending someone to a space station is relatively very cheap. And it is safe. Our Soviet Union has sent people to the space station many times and they live there, so the stability goes without saying."
"Then, may I ask for your assistance?"
Gorbachev honestly shook his head.
"I cannot give you a definitive answer right now. I will make a decision after a Politburo meeting and then give you an answer. However, it will likely pass."
Gorbachev made a '3' with his left hand and a '5' with his right. 350 million dollars. It was a humorous joke from Gorbachev, implying that there was no Politburo member who would dare stand against a super-creditor.
"You want us to let him use a Soyuz spacecraft? For a honeymoon, no less?"
The members of the Politburo asked Gorbachev, looking as if they couldn't believe their ears.
"Yes, that is correct."
"Good heavens... to think of using a spacecraft for such a purpose. There is no way to fathom that boy's thoughts. Just the other day, he readily donated 350 million dollars for our sake..."
At the words of Yuri, one of the Politburo members, Gorbachev nodded.
"He is certainly a difficult figure to pin down. But in a way, there is no one easier to accept. He keeps his word, and his intentions are clear, are they not?"
These words from Gorbachev were enough to make the Politburo members nod in agreement.
"That is true. The actions he takes himself are the height of capitalism, but the actions of the companies he owns are somehow different from capitalism. It is the first time I have seen such a friendly form of capitalism toward the common people."
Romanov Yuri, currently in his mid-70s, had a voice in the Politburo and was friendly toward Gorbachev, so the general assessment of Yoon-gi was naturally favorable. Of course, the 350 million dollars played a large part as well.
"I think so as well. If Chairman Choi had asked for spacecraft technology, I would have had to think about it, but since he says he wants to go on a space trip for his honeymoon, I found it quite difficult to make a decision."
At Gorbachev's words, the Politburo members each offered a laugh or a wry smile.
"A space station for a honeymoon... Honestly, I have never even imagined such a thing, but hearing the General Secretary's words, I find myself somewhat envious. However..."
Yuri intentionally cut his sentence short before continuing.
"What about the costs? Currently, our Soviet Union is in a situation where the budget is severely lacking. In this situation, we must not overlook the costs involved in launching a Soyuz spacecraft."
"There is no need to worry about the costs. I have already been told that the necessary expenses will be covered."
"Even if those costs exceed 40 million dollars?"
"He is a man who lends us 350 million dollars as if it were the most natural thing in the world; he will surely pay 40 million dollars without issue. Don't you agree, everyone? This will also be a tremendous help in reducing our debt."
At Gorbachev's words, the Politburo members offered wry smiles again, and seeing this, Gorbachev continued.
"If the condition is that Chairman Choi covers the costs, there is no loss for us. Considering the basic scientific knowledge gained from a single rocket launch, there is no reason to refuse."
The Politburo members nodded at the extremely realistic reasoning. It was true that while there were many costs associated with launching a rocket, the benefits gained were just as great.
"Hmm, the cost issue seems to be resolved. But what about the diplomatic issues?"
At Yuri's question, Gorbachev nodded.
"Unless the launch fails, but the success rate of the Soyuz spacecraft since '83 has been 100 percent. Therefore, I don't think we need to worry about failure."
"Isn't there a possibility that the U.S. might take issue with it?"
At the follow-up question, Gorbachev shook his head.
"The U.S. will not take issue with us. Rather, they will likely express their disappointment toward Chairman Choi's side."
On this day, after the Soviet Politburo approved Yoon-gi's space trip, the U.S. indeed expressed their disappointment toward Yoon-gi's side. To be precise, it was Reagan expressing it to Guster.
"I heard that your granddaughter's husband is going on a honeymoon using a Soviet spacecraft...?"
From the way he subtly raised the end of his sentence, it was clear that Ronald Reagan's mood was not good at all. However, Guster, standing before Ronald Reagan, answered without the slightest bit of panic.
"Yes, that is correct."
"Why the Soviet Union? Our space technology is superior, isn't it? Why, for heaven's sake?"
At Ronald Reagan's deeply disappointed words, Guster smacked his lips and answered simply.
"Because it's expensive."